The Pediatric Group Response to the NEW Vaccine Advisory Committee of the CDC
We are deeply concerned about the changes that are taking place in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). All 17 members of the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) were abruptly removed on Jun 9, 2025 by HHS Secretary Kennedy. The Pediatric Group will continue to recommend vaccines based on the best scientific evidence available, and to always be mindful of the needs and safety of our patients.
Dear parents and patients:
We are deeply concerned about the changes that are taking place in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The changes may have a significant negative effect on availability and insurance coverage of vaccines for children and adults.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), founded in 1964, is comprised of medical experts from several different fields of medicine and public health. The members of the committee undergo a thorough evaluation process to assess qualifications, background, and trustworthiness. Once appointed, the experts on the committee make recommendations based on rigorous science and evidence to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the clinical need, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines. When the CDC director adopts ACIP recommendations for vaccines, the cost coverage through Medicare and the Affordable Care act is mandatory; most private insurers then follow the standard.
All 17 members of the ACIP were abruptly removed on Jun 9, 2025 by HHS Secretary Kennedy. He alleged that all seventeen members had conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical companies who produce vaccines. One of those removed, Paul Offit, MD, is a pediatric infectious disease expert from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and is well known to us. He is a trusted expert whose lectures and advice have guided us over many years. Dr. Offit has consistently been transparent about any interaction or association he has with the pharmaceutical industry. On the other hand, several of the new appointees to the ACIP have biases against vaccines. We are concerned that the ACIP lost experience, expertise and institutional memory, and that the new members may make recommendations that are based on opinions rather than established science.
The situation may arise in which The Pediatric Group makes vaccine recommendations that differ from those of this reconstituted government body. It is not clear what the medical insurance company response will be if the vaccine recommendations are altered. The Pediatric Group will continue to recommend vaccines based on the best scientific evidence available, and to always be mindful of the needs and safety of our patients.
We are deeply concerned about the changes that are taking place in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). All 17 members of the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) were abruptly removed on Jun 9, 2025 by HHS Secretary Kennedy. The Pediatric Group will continue to recommend vaccines based on the best scientific evidence available, and to always be mindful of the needs and safety of our patients.
We are deeply concerned about the changes that are taking place in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The changes may have a significant negative effect on availability and insurance coverage of vaccines for children and adults.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), founded in 1964, is comprised of medical experts from several different fields of medicine and public health. The members of the committee undergo a thorough evaluation process to assess qualifications, background, and trustworthiness. Once appointed, the experts on the committee make recommendations based on rigorous science and evidence to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the clinical need, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines. When the CDC director adopts ACIP recommendations for vaccines, the cost coverage through Medicare and the Affordable Care act is mandatory; most private insurers then follow the standard.
All 17 members of the ACIP were abruptly removed on Jun 9, 2025 by HHS Secretary Kennedy. He alleged that all seventeen members had conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical companies who produce vaccines. One of those removed, Paul Offit, MD, is a pediatric infectious disease expert from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and is well known to us. He is a trusted expert whose lectures and advice have guided us over many years. Dr. Offit has consistently been transparent about any interaction or association he has with the pharmaceutical industry. On the other hand, several of the new appointees to the ACIP have biases against vaccines. We are concerned that the ACIP lost experience, expertise and institutional memory, and that the new members may make recommendations that are based on opinions rather than established science.
The situation may arise in which The Pediatric Group makes vaccine recommendations that differ from those of this reconstituted government body. It is not clear what the medical insurance company response will be if the vaccine recommendations are altered. The Pediatric Group will continue to recommend vaccines based on the best scientific evidence available, and to always be mindful of the needs and safety of our patients.
We are deeply concerned about the changes that are taking place in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). All 17 members of the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) were abruptly removed on Jun 9, 2025 by HHS Secretary Kennedy. The Pediatric Group will continue to recommend vaccines based on the best scientific evidence available, and to always be mindful of the needs and safety of our patients.
